Café Cancale

Cuisine: European, French, Seafood

10Best Says

Although Wicker Park will never be mistaken for the coast of Brittany, France, you can still get a sense of of its joie de vivre via a seasonal selection of pristine seafood and oysters at the lively... Read More

Although Wicker Park will never be mistaken for the coast of Brittany, France, you can still get a sense of of its joie de vivre via a seasonal selection of pristine seafood and oysters at the lively Café Cancale.
No need to fret about Gallic stuffiness because the"French-ish" restaurant is a happy marriage of traditional French cooking techniques and fine Midwestern ingredients in a polished-yet-casual atmosphere. Paul Kahan and Chef de Cuisine AJ Walker (Publican Anker, Publican Quality Meats, The Publican) clearly know their West Coast Kusshi from their East Coast Blish Points but there's so much more than briny bivalves here. From a starter like Yellow Chickories with smoked eel, poached egg, bacon and potato crisp to a perfect Trout Amandine bathing in a moat of brown butter, everything seems to say, "Que c'est bon"! The space is as cheery as raw bar diners during Happy Hour. Choose among a long list of French and coastal wines and drinks inspired by the 1920's.